The result not only kept City at the top of the table, but also extended their advantage over fellow promotion chasers MK Dons and Preston, who both dropped points on Sunday.

Gillingham, meanwhile, slipped to 19th in the table, two points ahead of Crewe in 21st.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill told BBC Radio Bristol:

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Cotterill on Gills v Bristol City

"We've had some big points to get on the board this month and we're probably only three short of what we hoped for.

"We've been up against it with the squad. It's been stretched to its limits.

"I thought the performances today of Matt Smith and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas were immense.

"They gave us a fantastic platform to build on."

Gillingham manager Peter Taylor told BBC Radio Kent:

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Taylor on Gillingham v Bristol City

"We did get better in the second half but I don't except the first half in any way. I thought we were yards away from Bristol City.

"We were not strong enough defensively as a team.

"The second goal we conceded was really poor - we had no defensive shape and people were in the wrong areas. If we'd gone in 1-0 down I felt there would have been a bit more belief in the changing room.

"You've got to give credit to a good team. They keep possession in tight areas and they have the confidence to do that."